Romano's Restaurant, nestled in the heart of Julian, CA, serves up an exquisite taste of Italy. Diners are greeted by a warm and welcoming ambiance, perfect for intimate meals or family gatherings. One standout dish is the Spiedini, which has left first-timers enlightened and eager for more, alongside rave reviews for the traditional lasagna. Customers like Andre Castro marvel at the gorgeous lighting and cozy atmosphere, enhanced by the soothing flicker of flames.
The menu offers a delightful variety, including mussels appetizers and hearty entrees like the Sicilian Sauce, recommended by patrons for its generous portions and rich flavor. Isaiah Wilson shared a particularly memorable experience on his birthday, praising the bread-crusted veal and the standout Caesar salad, a returning favorite for many.
Though service can be slow during peak hours, patrons agree that the food is well worth the wait, as SLB noted, with portions often exceeding expectations. This described blend of authentic cuisine, inviting atmosphere, and attentive staff make Romano's a must-visit. It’s evident that the flavors and heartfelt service will beckon diners back for more culinary adventures.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has fireplace
Has great beer selection
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Romantic
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Photos
Reviews For Romano's Restaurant
Andre Castro
Jun 3,2025
Didn't know what Spiedini was before this place, but that, and the lasagna, and even the salad?? Wow.. also the lighting inside was gorgeous and I loved the cozy flame
Zee Garcia
May 22,2025
Started with mussels appetizer. Was delicious . Soup of the day was chicken vegetable, to salty for my taste buds. For dinner, I had the Sicilian Sauce. It comes with short rib and the portion was amazing. Other plate was Veal Milagnese, the special of the day, and it was okay. But I definitely recommend the Sicilian Sauce.
Isaiah Wilson
May 19,2025
This place was an absolute pleasure. I went with my family for my 31st birthday. As we got to Julian, we went walking and stumbled upon this place. We both love Italian food, so it was a no-brainer to go there. We went inside and you could tell it was a home which made the atmosphere even better. We were helped by a friendly young chap whose grandpa founded the place I believe. Anyways he recommended the special which was bread crusted veal with pickled cabbage and other veggies. And omfg he wasn't lying when he said the flavor would be held within the crust cus damn good entree! And my lady got the pesto pasta and Cesar salad. And by far this was the best Cesar we ever had tbh!!! And to make it even better we informed him of my bday and without expectation he surprised us with canoli, which we both have never had and oh God, it was so gooooood. We will be back when we stumble upon Julian once more!
SLB
Apr 26,2025
Amazing food and wait staff. We went on a Saturday lunch time and it was busy. The solitaire chef made us wait for our main courses but it was so worth it .. ordered for two but there was enough food for four!
skyler folsom
Apr 25,2025
My fiance and I went here after touring our wedding venue in Julian. The food was so amazing we decided to have them cater for our wedding come up. My favorite food is pesto pasta and they had the best one I have ever tried (I don't live in the area and crave it all the time). The restaurant has a nice environment that works perfectly for date night, family dinners, or just a casual meal. I gave the service 4 stars only because they can get a bit busy, but the staff is still attentive and friendly.
Chris Melingonis (The RealtorDad)
Apr 14,2025
My wife, 9yr old and myself had a great experience! Very warm Spring evening out on the patio with our small dog. Service with a smile! I had the seafood and linguine dish (shrimp, scallops and breaded fried calamari) finished in butter, wine and oil. Absolutely delicious! The only thing I wish they would replace the breaded, seared calamari with fresh. The charred breaded flavor didn't go with the indended profile of the dish. Side salads were flush with traditional options like olives, roasted red peppers etc. Not your boring side salad. The chicken cacciatore was a surprise! Half of a chicken with skin and the carrots were great. A surprise and delight... The cannoli was SPECTACULAR! A must..
Vladyslav Shevchenko
Apr 1,2025
Absolutely loved this place! It’s super cozy, warm, and has such a welcoming vibe — you instantly feel at home. The staff were fantastic: fast, friendly, and genuinely kind. We had the mussels and calamari — everything was fresh and full of flavor. Our friends ordered the beef and chicken dishes and couldn’t stop raving about them. One of the highlights was the owner himself walking around, checking in with every table to make sure everyone was happy — such a rare and thoughtful touch. We’re honestly blown away. Can’t wait to come back! (Sharing a photo of the menu below so you can check it out too.)
Ahlix Salazar
Mar 11,2025
Visited on a weekday for lunch and was very impressed by food, service, and ambiance! Party and I sat on the patio and enjoyed the fresh air. Our server, Joe, was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. He ensured we were well taken care of throughout the entire meal. I am gluten free and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of options on menu. Wine list was also great with lots of variety. Everybody in party was happy with food and the how quickly it all had arrived. If you are in Julian, I highly recommend stopping in for meal here.
Reviews For Romano's Restaurant